Tested in the Furnace of Affliction481“And now listen to this, family of Jacob,you who are called by the name Israel:Who got you started in the loins of Judah,you who use God’s name to back up your promisesand pray to the God of Israel?But do you mean it?Do you live like it?2You claim to be citizens of the Holy City;you act as though you lean on the God of Israel,named God–of–the–Angel–Armies. 3For a long time now, I’ve let you in on the way I work:I told you what I was going to do beforehand,then I did it and it was done, and that’s that. 4I know you’re a bunch of hardheads,obstinate and flint–faced,5So I got a running start and began telling youwhat was going on before it even happened.That is why you can’t say,‘My god–idol did this.’‘My favorite god–carving commanded this.’6You have all this evidenceconfirmed by your own eyes and ears. Shouldn’t you be talking about it?And that was just the beginning. I have a lot more to tell you,things you never knew existed.7This isn’t a variation on the same old thing.This is new, brand–new,something you’d never guess or dream up. When you hear this you won’t be able to say,‘I knew that all along.’8You’ve never been good listeners to me.You have a history of ignoring me,A sorry track record of fickle attachments—rebels from the womb. 9But out of the sheer goodness of my heart,because of who I am,I keep a tight rein on my anger and hold my temper. I don’t wash my hands of you.10Do you see what I’ve done?I’ve refined you, but not without fire. I’ve tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction.11Out of myself, simply because of who I am, I do what I do.I have my reputation to keep up. I’m not playing second fiddle to either gods or people. 12“Listen, Jacob. Listen, Israel—I’m the One who named you! I’m the One. I got things started and, yes, I’ll wrap them up.13Earth is my work, handmade.And the skies—I made them, too, horizon to horizon. When I speak, they’re on their feet, at attention. 14“Come everybody, gather around, listen:Who among the gods has delivered the news?I, God, love this man Cyrus, and I’m using himto do what I want with Babylon. 15I, yes I, have spoken. I’ve called him.I’ve brought him here. He’ll be successful. 16Come close, listen carefully:I’ve never kept secrets from you.I’ve always been present with you.”Your Progeny, Like Grains of SandAnd now, the Master, God, sends me and his Spirit17with this Message from God,your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel:“I am God, your God,who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go. 18If you had listened all along to what I told you,your life would have flowed full like a river,blessings rolling in like waves from the sea. 19Children and grandchildren are like sand,your progeny like grains of sand. There would be no end of them,no danger of losing touch with me.”20Get out of Babylon! Run from the Babylonians!Shout the news. Broadcast it. Let the world know, the whole world. Tell them, “God redeemed his dear servant Jacob!”21They weren’t thirsty when he led them through the deserts.He made water pour out of the rock;he split the rock and the water gushed. 22“There is no peace,” says God, “for the wicked.”